Three of four divisions have been covered in the 'X Factor'; series in which
I';ve looked at the player most key for each team';s success this season. This
installment looks at the Pacific Division. Last offseason, the division
appeared to be a cakewalk for the top teams - the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim
Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Edmonton Oilers. That';s because the division also
had the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, the tanking Vancouver Canucks, and the
ever-rebuilding Arizona Coyotes.

However, every expectation went out the window as the Golden Knights won the
division with tempo and depth while the Oilers lacked offense behind Connor
McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. This season, Vegas and the three California teams
seek a return to the postseason, the Coyotes look to be competitive after they
upgraded at forward and on defense, and the Alberta teams hope they';ve done
enough to bolster already-talented rosters.Connor McDavid is the Edmonton
Oilers'; best player and the team follows his production, but that';s a known
fact. For the Oilers to return to the postseason, they need help elsewhere in
the lineup. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

One player from each team will be vital to his team';s success this season.
It';s not always the most obvious player like McDavid in Edmonton or Johnny
Gaudreau with the Calgary Flames. Rather, it';s often the role player or the
one looking to break out who proves to be the difference maker.

For the Pacific Division, there is a mix of young and old who can propel his
team to contender status or hold his team back. The following details each
team';s most important player for the 2018-19 season and why he is important.
Let me know in the comments below which players you think I was right and wrong
 on.Anaheim DucksRyan Kesler

Ryan Kesler missed 38 games last season while recovering from offseason hip
surgery and struggled with his lowest points per game rate since 2005-06. One
of the league';s best two-way centers, his control of five-on-five shots was
below 50 percent for the second time in his career and he negatively impacted
his regular linemates, Jakob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano.

Kesler is the Ducks'; most important player because of the team';s structure at
 center. He is supposed to be their second line center behind Ryan Getzlaf and
ahead of Adam Henrique. If Kesler misses time in 2018-19 or the rumors of him
sitting out the entire season hold true, it would put the Ducks'; center depth
in jeopardy. It would mean that Henrique becomes their second line center, a
role he is capable of playing, but leaves Carter Rowney as their likely third
line center.Last season, Ryan Kesler only appeared in 44 games and his 2018-19
season is in jeopardy. If he doesn';t play or bounce back, the impact it could
have on the Anaheim Ducks will be significant. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Rowney is a serviceable fourth-line center and penalty killer, but he should
not be counted on to provide even strength offense. Anaheim';s center options
in the minors are also slim, with Sam Steel and Maxime Comtois as potential
future stars but neither having made their NHL debut yet.

If Kesler can';t go this season or doesn';t bounce back, the Ducks will lose
one of their most productive players who is counted on to take their most
difficult faceoffs.

Other Options: John Gibson and Corey PerryArizona CoyotesAntti Raanta

Last season, goalie Antti Raanta went down with an injury on Oct. 12 and
didn';t return until Nov. 2 and the Coyotes went 1-8-0 in his absence. When
healthy, he was stellar with a 21-17-6 record, .930 save percentage (SV%) and
2.24 goals against average (GAA) in 47 games. He was even better in his final
20 games with a .944 SV%, three shutouts, and 13 wins, including five against
playoff teams.

Had Raanta not been injured, the Coyotes would have competed for a wild card
spot and he would have received Vezina Trophy consideration. That is why he is
vital to the team';s success this season. His five-on-five save percentage has
increased each of the past five seasons in conjunction with an increased
workload.The Coyotes finished with the third-fewest points last season but it
was not the result of Antti Raanta';s play. He was excellent after returning
from injury, but it was too late. If he maintains that level of play this
season, the Coyotes could be a playoff contender. (Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY
Sports)

Raanta will be counted on to start 60-plus games this season and if he plays at
 a high level again, the Coyotes should compete for a playoff spot, especially
given the other additions they made this offseason. However, if he isn';t good,
 they have no chance of competing. Backup Darcy Kuemper is a serviceable backup
 and had a .920 SV% and 2.52 GAA in 29 games between the Kings and Coyotes, but
 he';s not the caliber of Raanta.

Other Options: Alex Galchenyuk, Dylan Strome, and Jakob ChychrunCalgary
FlamesJames Neal

The Flames signed James Neal after he had another 25-goal season with the
Golden Knights. He joined Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Alexander Ovechkin, and
Jonathan Toews as the only players to score 20-plus goals every season since
2008-09. His consistent scoring will improve an offense that tied for 28th in
goals last season. He rounds out a strong Calgary top-six in which every
player scored at least 14 goals and 44 points last season.James Neal joins the
Calgary Flames after a 10th straight 20-goal season. His consistency is much
needed on a Flames roster that tied for 28th in goals for last season. (Matt
Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)

Neal also brings a winning mentality the Flames have lacked in recent seasons,
one of the reasons the team dealt Dougie Hamilton. Neal has appeared in every
postseason since 2011 and averaged at least .50 points per game in five of
them.

He should address Calgary';s bottom-five power play as he has two seasons with
double digit goals on the man advantage. He also became a stronger two-way
player in recent seasons and last year he had his highest five-on-five turnover
 margin since 2010-11.

Given Neal';s presence on the ice and his leadership in the locker room, the
Flames should be a favorite to return to the playoffs this season. They were
already a talented team and he pushes them over the edge.

Other Options: Mike SmithEdmonton OilersJesse Puljujarvi

Since McDavid debuted in 2015, the Oilers have been trying to find him
competent wingers. In his three seasons, his most linemates have included
Jordan Eberle and Benoit Pouliot in 2015-16 and Patrick Maroon and Leon
Draisaitl the past two seasons. There have also been stretches in which Milan
Lucic played on McDavid';s line.Former fourth overall pick Jesse Puljujarvi has
 yet to live up to his expectations. However, he has the tools to thrive on the
 top line with Connor McDavid. If he succeeds in that role, it will benefit
McDavid and the entire Oilers roster. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)Something
 has to change this season, though. Eberle, Pouliot, and Maroon are gone, Lucic
 is too slow, and Draisaitl needs to play center. That';s where Jesse
Puljujarvi comes in. He was Edmonton';s 2016 first round pick and struggled to
find playing time in 2016-17. Last season, he played 65 games and scored 12
goals and 20 points, generally in a third line role.

He also played with McDavid and they controlled well over 50 percent of scoring
 chances when together. Puljujarvi is the type of player McDavid needs on his
wing. He is fast and has the hockey sense to go where he';s needed to create
chances. It';s similar to how Connor Sheary and Chris Kunitz thrived with
Sidney Crosby with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Neither was the most talented
player, but had high hockey IQ';s and were strong enough skaters to keep pace
with Crosby.

If Puljujarvi can play his way onto McDavid';s wing, it will help Edmonton';s
roster. It will allow Draisaitl to center the second line and for Ryan
Nugent-Hopkins to either play on McDavid';s wing, center the third line, or be
traded. However, if Puljujarvi doesn';t work out, it may force Draisaitl back
to the top line given his chemistry with McDavid, which will hinder the team';s
 center depth.

Other Options: Cam TalbotLos Angeles KingsIlya Kovalchuk

Russian winger Ilya Kovalchuk returns to the NHL after five KHL seasons. Prior
to his departure, he had a Hall of Fame career with 816 points in 816 games. In
 the KHL, he had 327 points in 298 games, including 31 goals and 63 points in
53 games last season. The Kings signed the 35-year-old to a three-year deal in
hopes that he can spark their 17th-ranked offense which scored three goals in
an opening-round sweep against the Golden Knights.Ilya Kovalchuk spent the past
 five seasons playing for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL. He returns to the NHL
with the goal of continuing his Hall of Fame career and getting the Los Angeles
 Kings back to Stanley Cup contention.                        (
Александр Головко via Wikimedia Commons)

The Kings struggled offensively last season despite 92 points from Anze
Kopitar, 62 from Dustin Brown, and 61 from Drew Doughty. They also got an
excellent season from Jonathan Quick in net. All four were important to the
Kings returning to the playoffs last season and if one of them is significantly
 injured this season, the team will be in trouble.

But that';s not a surprise as their values are widely known. That';s why
Kovalchuk is their most important player. Had he been with them in last
year';s postseason, they almost certainly wouldn';t have been shutout twice in
four games. He represents the reliable and consistent scorer they have lacked
in recent seasons and should boost a power play that tied for 17th last season.

Is Kovalchuk fast? No, but he has never relied on speed to create chances.
However, he is smart and, considering he is their only offseason addition, he
represents their biggest chance to win a third Stanley Cup with their core.

Other Options: Jonathan Quick and Jeff CarterSan Jose SharksTimo Meier

Winger Timo Meier had a great sophomore season in 2017-18 and was especially
good in the postseason with two goals and five points in 10 games. In the
playoffs, he played with Chris Tierney and Kevin Labanc and the line was one of
 the team';s best. In the regular season, he mostly played with Tierney and Joe
 Pavelski, but bounced around all four lines.Timo Meier is just 21 but is
coming off a productive postseason with five points in 10 games. Possessing
plenty of potential, he should be a lock for San Jose';s top-six in 2018-19.
(Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Last season was Meier';s first full one and he played well with 21 goals and 36
 points, both career bests. He was a strong even strength player as 30 of his
36 points occurred five-on-five and is further indicated by his positive
metrics relative to teammates. After the Sharks missed out on John Tavares and
traded Mikkel Boedker this offseason, they have a top-six opening that should
belong to Meier.

At 21 years of age, he has proven he can play at a high level in the NHL, even
on the biggest stage. His per-60 rates at five-on-five improved in nearly every
 category between his rookie and sophomore seasons even with an increase in
playing time. With a further uptick in minutes this season, he should continue
to develop as a playmaker and a production increase should result.

Meier has always adjusted well as he progressed through the levels of hockey
and there';s no reason to think he won';t adjust this time. For example, in his
 first QMJHL season, he averaged just over a half-point per game. In his last
two junior seasons, he was well over a point per game player, including his
final season when he had 87 points in 52 games. On a San Jose roster that has
an aging core, the success of young players like Meier is vital as the team
moves forward.

Other Options: Tomas Hertl and Joakim RyanVancouver CanucksBo Horvat

With the retirements of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, the Canucks will have new
faces of the franchise for the first time in nearly two decades. Center Bo
Horvat is a strong a candidate to take that role. Although only 23, he is
entering his fifth season and looking to build off his most productive season.
In 64 games last season, he had 22 goals and 44 points and set career highs in
goals and points per game while averaging the most minutes of his career.Bo
Horvat will be Vancouver';s top center this season following the Sedin';s
retirements. (Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

He also played in all situations and had his best season on both special team
units. At five-on-five, he mostly played with Brock Boeser and Sven Baertschi
and positively impacted Boeser';s metrics in a big way. Horvat is Vancouver';s
most important player this season because he is their first line center and
drives play for Boeser, their best goalscorer.

Whether or not Horvat is a long-term top center remains to be seen. The Canucks
 have Elias Pettersson, Jonathan Dahlen, and Adam Gaudette as center prospects
and Pettersson has higher offensive upside than Horvat. Plus, Horvat is
developing into a strong two-way center and could best serve in a second line
role.

While Pettersson is in the NHL this season, it will be his first in the NHL and
 Horvat will still center the top line, for now. Because of that, a strong
season from Horvat while facing the toughest competition of his career will go
a long way to helping the team';s rebuild.

Other Options: Elias PetterssonVegas Golden KnightsTomas Tatar

The Golden Knights acquired Tomas Tatar at the 2018 trade deadline and he
struggled afterward with four goals and six points in 20 games. Although Vegas
acquired him to bring immediate production, the main reason for the trade was
to provide insurance against losing James Neal via free agency, which they
did.Tomas Tatar struggled last season after the Golden Knights acquired him at
the trade deadline. After a full offseason and the opportunity to foster
chemistry with his teammates, he will be expected to provide consistent
production this season. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)

Although Tatar';s five-on-five metrics were in line with his career averages,
his scoring rates per-60 regressed from 2016-17. He typically played with Erik
Haula and Neal on the second line, the same line he should find himself this
season, just with more talented linemates in Paul Stastny and Alex Tuch.

Tatar is Vegas'; most important player this season because they have to replace
 the 41 goals they lost this offseason when Neal and David Perron signed
elsewhere and Tatar has the longest track record of consistent scoring with
four straight 20-goal seasons. Defenseman Shea Theodore is another option given
 his talent level and playoff struggles, which were likely the result of tiring
 out, but he should rebound this season.

Other Options: Marc-Andre Fleury and Theodore

*All stats came from Hockey-Reference, Natural Stat Trick, HockeyViz, KHL.RU,
and Elite Prospects.

The post Pacific Division 'X Factor'; Players for Each Team appeared first on
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